SPENCER, Mass. — The cause of a dramatic house fire that turned explosive in Spencer is under investigation.
Firefighters said the preliminary investigation indicates that the flames started outside of a home on East Avenue.
Fast-moving flames burned that home to the ground, leaving the structure unrecognizable.
A stash of fireworks and propane tanks that were inside the home exploded and caused some tense moments.
“There were rockets and everything going off,” said Spencer Fire Chief Justin Peck. “We were just making sure we weren’t getting hit by the bottle rockets!”
The flames spread to a neighboring home and caused extensive damage.
The homeowner told Boston 25 News he was visiting his wife in the hospital when he received an urgent phone call from a neighbor.
“It just sucks about the holidays and the memories that are gone that we can’t get back,” said homeowner Justin Peck.
Peck believes the home where they’ve lived for more than two decades is a complete loss.
He said his wife was hospitalized with severe health issues two weeks ago.
“You’re trying to live and do what you need to do, and it keeps pushing you down. All you can do is stand back up,” said Peck.
The destructive flames also burned the siding of a third home.
Firefighters said an elderly man who owns the home where the fire started was out with a neighbor when it happened.
Crews struggled to get water on the burning home in bitterly frigid conditions and brought in tanker trucks to provide water.
Neighbors in the area lost power for most of the night due to damaged equipment.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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